Apparatus for the manufacture of cardboard and the like in continuous webs



- A. ENGEL 1,825,792 APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARDBOARD AND THE LIKE IN CONTINUOUS WEBS Filed April .16, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 15, 1931.

Sept. 15, 1931. A. ENGEL 1,823,792

I APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARDBOARD AND THE LIKE IN CONTINUOUS WEBS Filed April 16, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 15, 1&3

uairtn STAT am NT oFrrc-E ANNA ENG-EL, or B aeAMo, ITALY APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF CARDBOARD AND THE LIKE IN CONTINUOUS WEBS V Application filed April 16, 1930,Seria1 No. 444,826, and in France March 13, 1229.

Machines are known for the manufacture of cardboard in continuous webs, on endless fabric bands, as in ordinary paper-making machines, whether continuous machines prop- 5 erly so called, or cylinder machines. In these machines, the drainage is effected by suction and by pressure, the suction and pressure causing the water to issue from the pulp, by capillarity between the fibres of the mass to be drained, and between the meshes of the metallic fabric under the influence of gravity. In this case, the pressure is always furnished by rotary presses In the manufacture of cardboard in the vat, or even in the manufac ture of cardboard in the aforesaid machines, the cardboard being drawn out in sheets,;it is also known to employ, for exerting thepressure, presses which are operated by. hand or by suitable mechanical or hydraulic means.

In any event, there are in the present state of the art, no devices known which enable a continuous web of cardboard to be made on an endless fabric band, and in which the drainage pressure is obtained by means of a press or plates which compress, against another plate, the substances to be drained on the band. i

An object of the present invention is to pro vide an apparatus enabling continuous webs of cardboard to be produced on a fabric run ner, said apparatus being substantially characterized in that the drainage is effected not only by suction, but above all, by compression of the layer, Whiclris to be drained, between 1 two plates, alternatively raised or lowered together or separately, so as to compress against the runner the layer which is to be drained.

The difficulty presented by this industrial dered difficult by the fact that, although the I cardboard web is able to assume the desired problem consists in the production of a conform and consistency in the central zone of p pressed pulp onthe one hand, and with the layer of still wet pulp on the other. In all the attempts hitherto made, a constant in- V convenience has been encountered, namely that interruptions of continuity in the strength and thickness of the web, or irregularities in the contexture of the fibres, appear along said lines or strips. These defects are such that it is impossible to regard the-product b as a properly continuous homogeneous we I llhe apparatus according to the invention, and hereinafter described, furnishes continuous webs, although said webs are formed by a series of partial compressions exerted on their surface by flat members receiving alternating movements of translation, and not by meansof rotary devicesasiin the presses employed up to the present. I

This apparatus is particularly applicable to the manufacture of paper and, above all, of cardboard. It is also suitable for the shaping of cardboard or continuous layers in general, of any material, fibrous or otherwise, which, as the result of the consistency acquired by compression under the aforesaid conditions, is able to assume the condition of a continuouslayer adapted to undergo the usual subsequent treatments, such as drying, calendering, gofferin and perforation. p According to the present invention apparatus for the production ofacontinuous web of cardboard, thick paper or the like from a I layerof fluid pulp on an endless band drainage of said layer being effected by suction and compression is characterized in that said compression is exerted by two plates which are alternately raised or lowered together or separately in such away as to cause the pulp to undergo a series of consecutive and independent pressures to the-flat. I

Preferably the apparatus is provided with means for ensuring the distribution of the pulp in the zone separating the extreme line of compression from the fluid mass of pulp in such a way that the join between two portions of web which have undergone the consecutive compression becomes practicably imperceptible thus assuring the continuity and homogeneity of the web; I

The following constructional features are preferably included in the apparatus either singlyor in combination: I

1. One plate, usually the lower plate, is provided with perforations, or so constituted as to allow the drainage water to pass through with ease;

r 2. The rear portion of the upper plate is turned up beyond the rear edge of the lower plate, so as to:form' a kind of semi-arch;

3. At the front of the upper plate, a memb'er supported by this latter is'inaintained, by means ofa spring or the like, at such a level that its lower portion does not allow the continuous web to pass unless the latter has been brought to the desired thickness; 7

4. In rear of this upper plate a member forming a posterior stopping blade, supported by said plate and continuously controlled by spring in such a way that its lower edge is always below the lower horizontal surface of theupper plate;

' 5. An endless band of metal fabric, circulating between the upper and lower plates h equipped as described; Y i

I practically imperceptible, thusensuring the 7 6. Means for effecting the convergence thetwo plates in order to exert the effort of compression at the desired times.

The apparatus, and specially the semiarched portion provided on one of theplates, assuressuitable distribution of the pulp in the zone separating the extreme line of com pressionandthe still fluid' mass of pulp.

The distribution is such that if, after a first compression, the plates be separated and a 1 second compression is'efi'ected after the runner, with the layer of-pulp, has been moved forward for asuitable distance, the join between the two portions of the web becomes continuity of the drained and compressed web.

The invention will be clearly understood from the following description of one enrbodiment thereof, reference-being made to the accompanying drawings, whereon:

At its front end, the plate 2 is provided with a flange 4 supporting a member 5, of 2 cross section, which is continuously controlled by a spring 6, which in turn bears against an adjusting wheel 7. The lower portion 5 of said member 5 constitutes a stop bracket which is always in proximity to the band 3. 1

At the rear end, as already mentioned, the plate 2 is turned up so as to form a semiarch, springing from a point flush along the line a7) with the rear edgeof the plate 1. This semi-arch 8 terminates ina vertical flange 9. supporting the member 10 which forms a rearward barrier blade. The edge 11 of this blade is faced with rubber, or equivalent soft elastic material. A. spring 12 bears against the member 10 and against an upper adjustment wheel 13, which keeps the blade 10 in constant contact with the member 9 of the plate.

This plateis attached to the rod. 1 1' of a doubleacting piston 15, moving in a com pressed air cylinder 16. (locks or: valves,

operatedby handles 17, 18, 19 and 20, enable the compressed fluid to enter and escape from the two chambers in'the cylinder 16.

The device is completed by a glycerine regulator, or other suitable device 21'. In the example, this device is constituted .by an auxiliary'piston 22, connected to the main piston and moving in a small cylinder 23. This piston 22 is provided with two bores, and the circulation of the glycerine through these bores exerts a braking action on the move ments of the main pistons.

The endless band is drawn by a roller 24 and, travels over rollers 25,26 and 27, of

which 26 actsas a jockey roller through coun terweight 28.

The water, or drainage liquid collected in a vessel 29. Above the lower section of the band are disposed washing devices. 30, and the washing water falls into a vat 81. A cleaning brush'32, and a roller 33, with scraper 34- are also provided to prevent the pulp from escaping in the rear; The continuous web 35 issuing from the plates is wound on a roller 36. Finally, the fibrous mass to be treated is poured on to the runner from a tippin'gti' ough 37. Y

The described embodiment operates in the following manner It is assumed 1) t-hat the handy 3 has received a layer 38 of pulp, and is stationary;- The front stop'bracket 5 is lowered, and both the blade 10 and the upper plate 2 are raised. By admitting the compressed 'fluid into the upper part of the cylinder .16, the plate 2 is caused to descend toward the band. Under the action of its sprlng the blade 10, descends at the same time, and comes into Contact with the band at the same moment as the lower face of the plate 2 comes into contact with the layer of pulp (Fig. 2).

desired thickness, the surplus pulp flowing backwards into the space 39 below the arch 8, whilst the member 10, under the powerful application of the springs, marks off the area in which the pressure is exerted (Fig. 3). The plate 2 is then raised by admitting the compressed fluidinto the lower part of the cylinder 16. Consequently, the rear blade 10 also rises, while the front stop bracket 5 also rises to a small extent, which, however, is suflicient to allow the web to pass. ,The trough 37 is then tipped and the pulp'falls on to the band, but is unable to flow as far as the rearward portion 5 of the web, being prevented by the small ridge 40 formed by the material previously accumulated in the space 39 under the arch 8 (Fig. 4).

The band is then advanced until said ridge 40 comes in contact with the member 5 (Fig. 5). A suflicient amount of pulp having been poured out, a fresh compression is effected by lowering the plate 52, and the cycle of operation is repeated as often as necessary to produce a web of the desired length.

t will be seen that by employing the devices described there is no interruption of continuity at each compression between any two sections of the web which have undergone successive treatment. It should ,be noted that the lower head 41 of the regulating cylinder 23 is mounted on a thread, by which means the minimum distance separating the runner from the upper plate can be adjusted. A graduated scale enables the constants of regulation to be read off or marked.

All modifications which enable the same succession of mechanical effects to be obtained fall within the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for producing a continuous and homogeneous web of cardboard from a layer of fluid pulp, a pair of flat opiposed pressure plates, a metallic band therebetween carrying the pulp, means for preenting ridges being formed at the junction of the pressed and unpressed material, as successive portions of the pulp are pressed between the pressure plates.

2. In an apparatus for producing a continuous and homogeneous web of cardboard from fluid pulp, an intermittently moving metallic band for carrying the fluid pulp, a lower perforated pressure plate beneath the metallic band, an upper opposed pressure plate adapted in combination with the lower pressure plate to give the fluid pulp a series of successive pressures, on succeeding portions of same, means for distributing the pulp in the Zone separating the extreme line of compression from the still fluid mass of pulp, in such fashion that the joint between two successive portions of the web which have undergone compression is imperceptible, and a continuous and homogeneous web structure is thereby produced.

3. In an apparatusfor' producing a continuous and homogeneous web of cardboard from fluid pulp, aninternnttently moving metallic band for carrying and draining the fluid pulp carried thereon, a lower pressure plate" beneath said band, an upper pressure plate, having asemi-arche'd upturned rear edge thereon, a rear transverseblade member yieldingly mounted on the rear edge of the upper plate, forming withthe two pressure plates a chamber for receiving surplus pulp when the layer of fluid pulp is placed under pressure between the pressure plates, an upturned flange on the front edge of the upper pressure plate, a Z-shaped member adjustably and resiliently mounted .on the said flange, forming a stop gauge for the upper plate, and means for raising and lowering the upper pressure plate into proximate position with the lower plate, for the purpose of compressing a portion of the layer of fluid pulp to'a predetermined desirable thickness. 7 a. In an apparatus for producing a continuous and homogeneous web of cardboard from a layer of fluid pulp, a metallic band for carrying the pulp, a pair of opposed pressure plates enclosing the metallic band therebetween, suction means for draining the pulp of its fluid content, means for distributing the pulp in the zone between the pressed and impressed portions of same, for the purpose of producing a homogeneous sheet of pressed material when successive portions of the web are pressed between the plates.

5. In an apparatus for producing a continuous and homogeneous web of cardboard from fluid pulp, an intermittently moving metallic band for carrying the pulp thereon, a lower perforated pressure plate, an opposed upper pressure plate, a transverse semi-arched and upturned flange on the upper plate, a downwardly depending rear member adjustably and yieldingly mounted on said pressure plate flange having its lower edge normally below the face of the upper plate, for the purpose of forming a chamber between the pressure plates for receiving surplus fluid pulp, when the pulp is under pressure between said plates, and means for actuating the upper pressure plate.

6. In an apparatus for producing homo geneous cardboard in continuous strips from fluid pulp, a lower pressure plate, an endless metallic band for carrying the pulp thereon, an upper pressure plate having an upturned front edge thereon, a transverse gauge member adj ustably mounted on said front. edge, with its lower face norn'iallyadjusted to permit only a web of predetermined thickness to pass between it and the metallic band.

7. In an apparatus for producing a continuous and homogeneous web of cardboard from fluid pulp, a perforated lower pressure plate, an opposed upper pressure plate, an endless metallic pulp-carryingband interits iio

mittentlyfmovinga therebetween, adjustable means for automatically limiting the vertical ravel of the upper pressure plate, means for preventingv seams from forming at the junction of the pressed anclfunpressed portions of the Web of the fluid pulp, and means for controllingthe Web area acted upon by each successive. operation of the pressure plate.

;lnQtestimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.v ANNA ENGEL. 

